GDT
is the industry leader in compilation and management of geographic
information, supporting a host of different location-based services.
For GDT, GlobeXplorer’s imagery services play a vital role
in map compiling.In developing their mapping products, GDT uses GlobeXplorer
to verify certain attributions that can be visibly noticed in the
imagery. “Imagery gives us a great way of modeling what’s
on the ground from a topologic standpoint,” said Jay Benson,
VP of Development for GDT. For Jay, GlobeXplorer’s benefits
boil down to four “C’s”: coverage, currency, cost
shifting and competency.
Coverage
GDT’s decision to work with GlobeXplorer was based largely
on the extent and quality of coverage available. With GlobeXplorer’s
selection of Citipix six-inch color imagery, AirPhotoUSA two-foot
aerials, one-meter USGS Digital Ortho Quads, and other providers,
GDT appreciates the benefits of having the most comprehensive online
United States aerial imagery database at their fingertips.
Currency
In order to develop relevant mapping products, it is vital to GDT’s
staff to have access to as current aerial data as possible. “Citipix
data is much more current and resolute than DOQ information,”
he says, and when complemented with other GlobeXplorer online services,
they are insured of gettingdata that is recent enough to ensure
time-relevant products.
Cost Savings
Allowing GlobeXplorer to handle aerial imaging is important to GDT
in order to keep imagery costs down. “Without GlobeXplorer’s
services, we would be forced to dramatically expand our technical
and hardware infrastructure, as well as increase staffing, to source,
process and manage the imagery.
Competency
“We also look at GlobeXplorer from a core competency perspective.
We prefer to have someone else be the image experts so that we can
focus on being the premier digital map compiler in America.”
